Register your Vehicle

Your vehicle registration sticker displays your license plate number, county of registration and partial vehicle identification number. This customization helps protect you against theft and fraud. Registration expires on the last day of the month shown on your sticker. For example, if your sticker shows a date of 12/17, your registration is valid through the last day of December 2017.

Stickers for motorcycles are smaller and are displayed in the top right corner of the license plate.

Since March 1, 2015, your current registration sticker also serves as proof of vehicle inspection.

How to Register

Your vehicle must have a current passing inspection to qualify for vehicle registration.

Vehicles may be registered in the following ways:

Online

Renew Your Registration Online and Receive a $1.00 Discount!

Your vehicle registration may be renewed online 90 days before the expiration date or up to six months after the expiration date, if you have not received a citation for expired registration. Your expiration month will not change.

There is a two business day payment processing hold before your sticker is printed. Please allow up to three weeks for processing and mailing.

By Mail

Registration renewal notices are mailed to all registered vehicle owners. To register by mail, send the following to your county tax office:

Renewal notice (keep the vehicle owner's section for your records)

A copy of your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) – (a copy can be obtained at www.mytxcar.org)

Proof of current liability insurance

All fees listed on your renewal notice (please see FEES tab for more information)

In Person

To register your vehicle in person, take your registration renewal notice and proof of current liability insurance to your county or an approved substation.

If you did not receive your renewal notice, you can renew your registration using your:

License plate number

Vehicle identification number, or

Registration receipt from the previous year.

Most inspection records are available in real time, but there may be instances when the record is not immediately available. If your vehicle passed inspection but the system is unable to electronically verify it, you may present the passing VIR you received from the inspection station to the county at the time of renewal. If you need to show proof of inspection to complete your vehicle’s registration renewal, visit www.mytxcar.org to download, display electronically, or print a copy of the document. Your inspection will be verified manually, and you will be permitted to renew your vehicle registration.

Some counties allow renewals at substations or subcontractors, such as a participating grocery store. If you are renewing your registration at a county subcontractor location, such as your local grocery store, they may not accept your VIR as proof of inspection. Each county determines whether their subcontractors can verify inspection via VIR. If a subcontractor is not permitted to verify via VIR, you will be directed to the county tax office to complete your renewal.

Acceptable forms of payment vary by county. Contact your county tax office for more details.

Fees

Cars and Light Trucks

The standard fee for cars and lighter pickup trucks is a base registration fee of $50.75.

Heavy Vehicles

Trailers

Trailer and travel trailer fees are $45 to register a trailer up to 6,000 pounds.

Mopeds and Motorcycles

The standard fee for mopeds and motorcycles is a base registration fee of $30.

Registration Fees

All registration renewal notices will include line items for the following fees and donation opportunities. The fee amounts displayed here are for demonstration purposes only. Fee amounts will vary based on your vehicle type, county of registration, and county of inspection.

Registration Fee: The registration fee is comprised of the base registration fee for your vehicle type and $1 for the maintenance and operations of the Insurance Verification Project (TexasSure). 100 percent of your base registration fee goes directly to the State Highway Fund for the construction and maintenance of the state’s transportation system. For more information, please see our current registration fee chart at the bottom of this page.

Local Fee: The local fee is comprised of one or more fees assessed by your county of registration. Local fees vary from county to county and are established by county Commissioner’s Courts. The amount listed under local fees may range from $0 to $31.50 depending on your county of registration.

All counties may charge a fee of up to $10 for deposit into their county road and bridge fund. Certain counties are permitted to assess an additional fee for transportation not to exceed $20 to fund long-term transportation projects in the county. All counties may also assess a child safety fee of up to $1.50 to promote child safety programs including health and nutrition education and school crossing guards. For more information, please see our current registration fee chart at the bottom of this page.

Special Plates Fee(s): A special plates fee will only be assessed if the vehicle being renewed has specialty license plates.

Inspection Fee: The inspection fee is the charge for the state’s portion of the inspection fee. At the time of inspection, motorists pay only the inspection station’s portion of the fee. The state’s portion of the inspection fee is collected at the time of registration or renewal. For more information, please see twostepsonesticker.com/motorists.

Processing and Handling Fee: The processing and handling fee covers the costs of processing vehicle registration. These costs include state and county services; creation of annual renewal notices; registration stickers; and other related services and materials.

Donate to Support TX Veterans: Your voluntary contribution supports the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, which awards grants to local organizations that focus on improving the lives of Veterans in Texas. Learn how these grants benefit Texas Veterans and their families at www.tvc.texas.gov.

Donate $5 (or more) to State Parks: Your voluntary contribution of $5 or more helps keep Texas State Parks open and maintained. Learn more at www.texasstateparks.org/help.

Donate $1 (or more) to Donate Life: Your voluntary contribution of $1 or more supports Donate Life Texas to provide comfort for families in crisis and provide life-saving and life-enhancing organ and tissue transplants for patients in need. Find out more at www.donatelifetexas.org/promo/dmv.

Other Vehicle Types

Pocket bikes and mini scooters (gasoline or battery-powered scooter)

Most of these vehicles do not pass a vehicle safety inspection and cannot be registered or driven on public roads. A secure Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin issued by a manufacturer registered with NHTSA is required to title any motorized vehicle.

Mopeds

To be registered, your moped must be on the approved list of mopeds maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety. In order to title, a secure Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin is required.

Motor Homes

The registration fee is based on weight for cars and trucks, including motor homes. For more information, contact your local county tax assessor-collector office. Proof of liability insurance and inspection is required to register your vehicle.

ATVs and off-highway use vehicles

All-terrain vehicles (three or more wheels, equipped with one or more seats, and not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn use) are required to be titled, but may not be registered.

Off-highway motorcycles (two or three wheels) are required to be titled, but not registered.

Boats

FAQs

I’m a Texan currently living out of state. How do I register my vehicle in Texas?

You must register your vehicle in the state or jurisdiction where you currently live, unless you are a full-time student or active military. If you are a student or active military, contact your local county tax office in the Texas county where you last resided for more information.

I moved to a different address in Texas. How can I ensure that I will receive my registration renewal notice?

It is important to update your address on your motor vehicle record. Updating your address will help ensure you receive your registration renewal notice. Failure to renew your registration is against the law and may result in a fine.

I sold my vehicle, why did I receive a registration renewal notice in the mail?

Renewal notices are printed in advance, and at the time of printing our record still indicated you as the recorded owner. If you think the buyer of your vehicle did not transfer the vehicle title you should file a vehicle transfer notification. This lets us know that you no longer own the vehicle. You should file the transfer notice within 30 days of selling or trading in your vehicle in order to receive the state protection that no longer makes you responsible for that vehicle.

Note: Filing the transfer notification does not transfer vehicle ownership; it simply removes liability for what the new owner may do with your old vehicle. Contact our customer service at (888) 368-4689 or (512) 465-3000 with the VIN of the vehicle you sold for more information.

I lost my registration sticker. How do I obtain a replacement?

You may obtain a replacement sticker from your local county tax assessor-collector’s office for a $6 replacement fee plus the $0.50 automation fee (to upgrade the registration and title computer system). You may be required to complete and submit Form VTR-60 to your local county tax office.

Registration stickers expiring December 2016 and earlier are provided and mailed by your local county tax office. Please contact your county office, and provide the VIN and license plate number.

After November 1, 2016, registration stickers expiring January 2017 and later can be tracked at www.TxDMV.gov/track. You will need the license plate number and the last four digits of the VIN to track your registration sticker.

How do I get a copy of my registration receipt?

Donate

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles offers the opportunity to include donations to the following organizations at the time of vehicle registration:

Support Texas Veterans

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance awards grants to local organizations that focus on improving the lives of Veterans in Texas. Learn how these grants benefit Texas Veterans and their families at www.tvc.texas.gov.

Texas State Parks Won't Be The Same Without You

Help keep Texas State Parks open and maintained so that we can enjoy these special places for generations to come. Donate $5 or more when you renew your vehicle registration. You can donate on the front of your registration renewal form or at your county tax assessor-collector’s office. Learn more at www.texasstateparks.org/help.

Give And Let Live with Donate Life Texas

Thousands of Texans await the gift of life. Donate Life Texas provides comfort for families in crisis and provides life-saving and life-enhancing organ and tissue transplants for patients in need, thanks to individuals and families who choose to donate. Find out more and register to Donate Life at www.donatelifetexas.org/promo/dmv.

Support Special Olympics Texas

Your donation helps thousands of Texas children and adults with intellectual disabilities be more prepared to live and work in their communities. Learn more: www.sotx.org.

Ending Homelessness Fund

There are tens of thousands of homeless people in Texas. A small donation to the Ending Homelessness Fund can help counter the adverse effects that homelessness has on families and communities. Please consider a gift in any amount. Your contribution can deliver crucial services and provide necessary aid directly to those most in need. Learn more at www.txhomelessfund.org.